Abstract
Background
Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have a multifactorial origin and lifestyle-related behaviors are among the predisposing risk factors. These behaviors seldom occur in isolation, and the simultaneity is an aggravating factor for the development of NCDs.
Objective
To estimate the simultaneous occurrence of health risk behaviors and associated factors in the Brazilian population.
Method
Data from the National Health Survey conducted in 2013 were used. The risk behaviors evaluated were smoking, abusive alcoholic beverage consumption, irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, excessive screen time, and physical inactivity. The presence of each behavior was added to obtain simultaneity. The independent variables analyzed were gender, age group, and education level. The chi-square test was used to assess factors associated with simultaneous occurrence and logistic regression for the association between the health risk behaviors assessed.
Results
The most frequent risk behaviors were physical inactivity (68.5%), irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables (32.9%), and excessive screen time (28.9%). Four out of ten individuals were exposed to two risk behaviors simultaneously. The occurrence of three or more risk behaviors was more frequent among males, adolescents, and adults, compared to the elderly, and there was a gradual reduction with the increase in the education level.
Conclusion
The frequency of simultaneous occurrence of health risk behaviors was elevated, which may compromise the health conditions of the Brazilian population.
Keywords:
risk behaviors; simultaneity; lifestyle; national health survey